Eugene Onegin and Pechorin are the heroes of different works of two famous classics of Russian literature - Pushkin and Lermontov. The first worked on the novel for more than seven years. Pushkin himself called his work “a feat” - of all his works, only “Boris Godunov” was awarded such an epithet. Lermontov’s famous novel “Hero of Our Time” was written over two years and was first published in St. Petersburg. Further, the article will compare Onegin and Pechorin, showing the features that connect and distinguish them.
The work of Pushkin. Short description
Alexander Sergeevich began work on the novel in Chisinau, in 1823. Pushkin was in exile at that time. In the course of the story, you can see that the author refused to use romanticism as the main creative method.
"Eugene Onegin" is a realistic novel in poetry. It was assumed that initially the work will include 9 chapters. However, subsequently, Pushkin somewhat reworked the structure of the novel, leaving only eight in it. The chapter on the journey of the protagonist was excluded - it became an appendix to the main narrative. In addition, the description of Onegin’s vision of military settlements near the Odessa marina and rather sharply expressed judgments and remarks were removed from the structure of the novel. It was dangerous enough for Pushkin to leave this chapter - for these revolutionary views he could be arrested.
"Hero of our time". Short description
Lermontov began work on the work in 1838. His novel includes several parts. During the reading process, you can see that the chronology is violated in the narrative. The author used this artistic device for several reasons. Mainly this structure of the work shows the protagonist - Pechorin - first through the eyes of Maxim Maksimych. Then before the reader appears the inner world of the character according to the records of his diary.
Brief comparative characteristics of Onegin and Pechorin
Both characters are representatives of the capital's aristocracy. Heroes received an excellent education and upbringing. The level of their intelligence is higher than the average level of the people around them. The characters are separated by ten years, but each of them is a representative of his era. Onegin's life takes place in the twenties, the action of Lermontov’s novel takes place in the 30s of the 19th century. The first is influenced by freedom-loving ideas in the heyday of the advanced social movement. Pechorin lives in a period of brutal political reactions to the activities of the Decembrists. And if the first could still join the rebels and find a goal, thus giving meaning to their own existence, then the second hero no longer had such an opportunity. This already speaks of the greater tragedy of the Lermontov character.
The main features of the character of the novel "Hero of our time"
The image of Grigory Pechorin was one of Lermontov's artistic discoveries. This hero is epochal mainly because the features of that post-Decembrist era were expressed in his image. Outwardly, only losses and violent reactions are characteristic of this period. Inside, active, uninterrupted, deaf and silent work was carried out.
It must be said that Pechorin is a rather extraordinary person, everything in him is debatable. For example, a hero may complain about a draft, and after some time gallop at the enemy with a saber naked. Maxim Maksimych speaks of him as a person capable of enduring the difficulties of a nomadic life, changing climates. Gregory was built, his growth was average, strong physique with a thin camp and broad shoulders. According to Maxim Maksimych, the essence of Pechorin was not defeated either by the depravity of the life of the capital, or by mental torment.
What do characters have in common?
Comparison of Onegin and Pechorin should begin with an analysis of the character traits of the heroes. Both characters are very critical of people and life. Realizing the emptiness and monotony of their existence, they are dissatisfied with themselves. They are oppressed by the surrounding situation and people mired in slander and anger, envy.
Disappointed in society, the heroes fall into melancholy, begin to get bored. Onegin tries to start writing to satisfy his spiritual needs. But "hard work" quickly tires him. Reading also captivates him briefly.
Pechorin, too, quickly gets tired of any business he has begun. However, once in the Caucasus, Gregory hopes that there will be no boredom under the bullets. But he gets used to military operations very quickly. Bored Lermontov character and love affairs. This can be seen in the attitude of Pechorin to Mary and Bel. Having achieved love, Gregory quickly loses interest in the ladies.
What are the similarities between Pechorin and Onegin? Both heroes are selfish by nature. They do not reckon with the feelings or opinions of other people.
The relationship of the heroes with others
Not wanting to be deprived of liberty, Onegin rejects Tatyana’s feelings. Feeling his superiority over people in general, he accepts the challenge of Lensky and kills a friend in a duel. Pechorin brings misfortune to almost everyone who surrounds or meets him. So, he kills Grushnitsky, upsets Maxim Maksimych to the core, destroys the lives of Vera, Mary, Bela. Gregory seeks the disposition and love of women, following only the desire to entertain himself. Dispelling boredom, he quickly cools to them. Pechorin is quite cruel. This quality of his is manifested even in relation to the sick Mary: he tells her that he never loved her, but only laughed at her.
The most striking features of the characters
The comparative characteristics of Onegin and Pechorin would be incomplete without mentioning the self-criticism of the heroes. The first is tormented by remorse after a duel with Lensky. Onegin is unable to stay in places where the tragedy happened, abandons everything and begins to wander around the world.
The hero of Lermontov’s novel admits that he inflicted quite a lot of grief on people throughout his life. But, despite this understanding, Pechorin is not going to change himself and his behavior. And the self-criticism of Gregory does not bring anyone relief - neither to himself nor to others. This attitude to life, to himself, to people depicts him as a "moral cripple."
Despite the differences between Pechorin and Onegin, both of them have many common features. Each of them has a particularly pronounced ability to perfectly understand people. Both heroes are good psychologists. So, Onegin singled out Tatyana immediately, at the first meeting. Of all the representatives of the local nobility, Eugene converged only with Lensky.
The hero of Lermontov also correctly judges the people who meet him on the way. Pechorin gives fairly accurate and accurate characteristics to others. In addition, Gregory perfectly knows female psychology, can easily predict the actions of ladies and, using this, conquers their love.
The comparative characteristics of Onegin and Pechorin allow us to see the true state of the inner worlds of the characters. In particular, despite all the misfortunes that each of them caused to people, both of them are capable of bright feelings.
Love in the lives of heroes
Realizing his love for Tatyana, Onegin is ready for anything in order to just see her. The Lermontov hero immediately rushes after Vera, who has left. Pechorin, not catching up with his beloved, falls in the middle of the road and cries like a child. The Pushkin hero is noble. Onegin is honest with Tatyana and does not think to use her inexperience. In this, the Lermontov hero is the exact opposite. Pechorin appears to be an immoral person, a man for whom the people around him are just toys.
Ideals and values
The comparative characteristics of Onegin and Pechorin are mainly a comparison of the inner world of each character. Analysis of their behavior allows you to understand the motivation of certain actions. So, for example, the heroes have different attitudes towards a duel. Onegin is sleeping soundly the day before. He does not take the duel seriously. However, after the death of Lensky, Eugene is seized with horror and remorse.
The Lermontov hero, on the contrary, does not sleep all night before a duel with Grushnitsky. Gregory is deep in thought, he thinks about the purpose of his existence. At the same time, Pechorin will calmly kill Grushnitsky. He calmly leaves the duel site, politely bowing.
Why are Pechorin and Onegin “extra people”?
Society was rather negative about heroes. Others could not understand the behavior of the characters. The point of view, the views and opinions of Pechorin and Onegin did not coincide with the generally accepted, therefore they were perceived with hostility. Both characters feel their loneliness in the light, among the crowd, feeling the superiority of these young people. In the images of Pechorin and Onegin, the authors protested against the vileness and mustiness of secular society of that time, depriving people of their goals, forcing them to waste their strength, not finding use either for their abilities or skills.